Little thought in heavy-handed destruction of old
That was a sickening finish: demonstrators at the Star Ferry pier efficiently hauled off and, without pause, on with the demolition. The sudden heavy-handedness of their removal indicates that the administration is possibly more worried about images beamed to the world of young, intelligent, articulate Hong Kong people legitimately protesting against the destruction of a building that - with its 50-year iconic status as Hong Kong Island's welcoming gateway - should be both preserved and honoured.
An increase in ferry fares triggered violent protests at the pier two generations ago - was the symbolism too much for our decision makers who, ironically, have about as much legitimacy as their colonial forebears?
That legitimacy and the competence of its officials is increasingly being questioned. On Wednesday, at the very moment that the police were removing people from the Star Ferry building, a Central and Western District Board committee endured the tired submissions of the Planning Department's chief town planner about proposals to redevelop the old police quarters on Aberdeen Street. The committee promptly rejected all of the Planning Department's proposals, the district board members emphatically stating that they were tired of convoluted promises, lack of holistic planning, inappropriate tall buildings, traffic congestion, destruction of heritage buildings and public officials who refuse to think out of the box.
Appropriate then that, once the Star Ferry building is demolished, the big finger of IFC Two will replace its gateway status.
JOHN BATTEN, Sheung Wan
Sheung Shui surprise
This is the first time I have ever felt compelled to write a letter to you. I am a Chinese arts and culture curator based in the United States and have travelled to Hong Kong and the mainland frequently for the past 20 years. Often it seems Hong Kong is labelled a place with no culture or desire to conserve historical sites or heritage. However, in one spot in the New Territories at least, this is far from the truth. I recently attended a Unesco awards presentation for the restoration of the Qing dynasty-styled Liu Ying Lung Study Hall at Po Sheung village in Sheung Shui. It won an honourable mention for the 2006 Unesco Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
The Liu clan, the local Sheung Shui community and the government's Home Affairs Department were recognised for their hard work, energy, enthusiasm and commitment in restoring the hall to its former glory and breathing life into what could have been another easily forgotten site. All the parties took great pride in their very enviable Unesco achievement and they deserve a big pat on the back. I was even more delighted to learn that Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho Chi-ping, was literally on the ground to not only officiate at the event but provide a very personal and detailed explanation of the poon choi local festive dish.
I wish that more of these achievements were given more recognition. I, for one, definitely appreciated this accomplishment, even though I had to reschedule my trip back to the US in order to attend. If you were there, you would understand that it was well worth the trouble and the extra money paid in penalties to make sure I didn't miss out on this very proud occasion. Well done to the Home Affairs Department, the Sheung Shui authority and Hong Kong on the whole.
SALLY YU LEUNG, San Francisco
Golden glory years
Many, many congratulations to our wonderful cyclists on winning their second gold medal for Hong Kong at the Asian Games in Doha. Of all the many talented sportsmen and women Hong Kong has produced over the years, our cyclists in particular have always done us proud. From the brilliantly gifted Chan Fai-lai in the late 1970s, through to riders like Choy Yiu-chung and his contemporaries in the early 1980s, and Hung Chung-yam in the late 1980s.Who can ever forget the final kilometres of the Olympic road race in Seoul when Hung came so heart-achingly close to winning Hong Kong's first ever Olympic medal. Then into the 1990s and the supremely talented Wong Kam-po taking on the European professionals and beating them. And now yet another generation of gifted riders. Two Asian Games golds.
One from Wong himself in the men's road race and the other from Cheung King-wai in the 40km points event on the track. To have achieved so much despite living in what must surely be one of the world's least cycling-friendly cities is an inspiration to us all.
COLIN RUFFELL, Pok Fu Lam
Right track for trams
I am writing to voice my support for a new tramline from Sheung Wan to Wan Chai ('Harbour tramline for tourists in the works', December 10).
The trams are a part of Hong Kong history and I think it would be wonderful to see this particular form of transport growing and playing its part in Hong Kong's development.
RENNIE MARQUES, Mei Foo
Concerted silence
Has Concerts-Asia and One Promotions fled town after the debacle which was the Mariah Carey non-concert? It certainly appears that way after checking their website. The site says only 'we are closed from December 14, 2006 to January 7, 2007'. It provides no additional information of updates regarding customer refunds to those who bought Mariah Carey concert tickets or who to call if there are any questions. What happens to the refunds they promised to pay to customers? Are they just expected to wait until the promoters are ready?
Any e-mails are unanswered and all phone calls have not been returned.
Their previous website posting promised that once all the necessary information was provided, customers would receive their refund in 30 days. For my wife and I, we submitted the information required in early November, which has already passed the 30-day mark, and we still have not received our refunds.
BRET BENSON, Hong Kong
Civil courtesy
I was standing in Johnson Road in Wan Chai on Wednesday waiting for the rain to stop when a young man in a suit offered to share his umbrella and walk me to the MTR. He wasn't even going to the subway but his simple act of kindness renewed my spirits. To that gentleman in his 20s (in the commercial leasing market) I say thank you, it is such small efforts that make us civil.
GREG BEEL, Melbourne
Airwaves assault
I must disagree with your correspondent V.P. Darvell that weather reports be given in a non-judgmental manner ('Bad weather can be good', December 10). I have in mind a lady who reads the weather report on one of the English channels and prefaces the pollution readings with such comments as 'let's see how bad the air pollution will be tomorrow', or concludes with 'if you are going outdoors try not to breathe'. This lady is doing more to raise public awareness on Hong Kong's disgraceful air quality (if such were needed) than half a dozen secretaries for the environment prancing around on television advertisements in blue suits with children who far from having a life expectancy of 76 years, which the chief executive is trumpeting on about, will be lucky to see 40 years of age if they continue to be subjected to Hong Kong's current foul levels of air pollution.
B.J. CARROLL, Ap Lei Chau
